Definitely yes to the latter question - it is said that if you use frozen sloes they will burst on thawing and you don't need to prick them 10 million times...I always freeze sloes! The sloes close to us aren't ready yet - have they got that 'bloom' on them?

I also find they give slightly when they are ripe. Haven't been down to the usual place, but it is in a hollow, so usually rather late. I also need to find all the ones I have in the freezer. Definitely freezer overhaul time.